Election Turnout Lower Than Expected in D.C., Maryland

Higher number of voters due to new registrations

WASHINGTON -- The percentage of registered voters in Maryland and D.C. who cast ballots on Election Day was in line with past presidential elections, contrary to expectations of a spike.

In Maryland, figures collected by the State Board of Elections indicate a turnout of nearly 76.4 percent of registered voters, a slight drop from 2004 when about 78 percent went to the polls.

And in the District of Columbia, preliminary numbers indicate that the percentage of registered voters who turned out was a bit lower than in 2004 and 2000.

Election officials said they don't have any theories to explain the numbers. Still, it's important to note that more people voted this year than in previous years, they said. That's because there has been a surge in voter registration since 2004.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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